Lovely – Chapter 4

Abby felt the tears stream down her cheeks as she grabbed her stomach; she almost fell out of her chair she was laughing so hard at Mark Goodman. He was going on about how he almost peed on himself during their final. Mark had even done a dead-on impersonation of Professor Dawkins deadpan stare which Dawkins thought intimidated the students. How wrong he was.

Gabi walked into Club TBD and spotted Abby and Mark in the corner laughing in the dimly lit room.

"You have a beautiful smile and laugh," said Mark. Slightly turning her head, Abby could feel her cheeks heat up as her big brown doe eyes looked over him carefully.

"Mark –"

"Hey guys," said Gabi as she pulled a chair towards their table.

"Hey," replied Abby. Gabi could tell from looking at Abby she had arrived in the nick of time.

"If you'll excuse me for a minute," said Mark as he left the table.

"Yeah," nodded Abby. Abby and Gabi watched as Mark had rounded the corner before opening their mouths.

"Oh my god, you arrived right on time. Mark had me in tears, laughing about Professor Dawkins and the class and then he started flirting with me."

"He's cute! Girl you have to move on from...," Gabi paused and looked to see if anyone was dancing behind her. "EJ and Mark's a good place to start."

Abby had confided in Gabi about her affair with EJ after Gabi caught her crying her eyes out on campus one day. Gabi felt so guilty she blabbed and told Abby about what happened between her and Nick in the park. How he attacked her, she hit him with a rock knocking him unconscious, and Sami and Kate dumped him into the river. Abby was so horrified her and Gabi didn't speak for most of the semester. Abby didn't think she could keep the secret and considered going to Hope when news came of Nick's body washing up on the other side of town. EJ became Gabi's lawyer and they pled not guilty and claimed self-defense. Gabi and EJ also concocted a story that managed to scratch out Sami and Kate. It worked since Salem PD had no evidence and all Gabi had to do was see a therapist a couple times a week for three years.

EJ didn't know that Abby knew the real story and if Abby had anything to do with it, he never would. In Abby's eyes, EJ slept with her to shut her up and to please himself until Sami let him back in her bed.

"I'm not ready, Gabi," said Abby as she shook her head.

"Ok. I'm not here to push. Let's celebrate! We are going to be graduates! We are gonna walk the stage in less than a week!"

"Yes we are! Let's drink!"

"I'm down with that," said Mark as he walked up to the table.

"Where have you been?" asked Abby.

"Where you concerned about me?" ask Mark. He placed his hand over his chest as to say 'little ole me' and fluttered his eyes. Abby and Gabi couldn't help but laugh. "Tell you what. The first round of drinks are on me. How does that sound?"

"Perfect!" said Abby and Gabi simultaneously.

Walking in through the front door, EJ noticed all the college students dancing and laughing in the red light. There was also a banner that said "Congratulations you made it through Salem U." Club TBD was the closest place to home that had a bar and EJ didn't want to go home. After arguing with Samantha and knowing that both Samantha and Stefano were home at the same time, was not appealing. He'd at least need a few drinks first and he was being chauffeured so safety wasn't an issue.

"Hey EJ, didn't think you were the one for crowds," said Sonny as he walked up to him.

"I'm not. Do you have a private room available?"

"You're in luck. Toward the back we have a private room with a booth and champagne service. Should I let Sami know where to find you?"

"No. She won't be coming and no to champagne. I want a scotch neat."

"Oh ok. I'll show you to your room."

As Sonny and EJ made their way through the crowd, EJ's eyes fell on Abigail. He hadn't noticed earlier but her hair looked darker. It could have been the lighting but he was quite sure there was something about her that looked different. She was smiling which he hadn't seen her do since their talks at the mansion, in the town square and there at Club TBD. She was with Gabi and some brown haired guy that kept touching her arm and hand. EJ looked away before Abby saw him watching her.

Abby couldn't help but spot the tallest guy in the room making his way to the back. What was EJ doing at a college party? With a few drinks in her Abby wanted to confront him, tell him how used up she felt, and how she felt about him. She watched him disappear around corner and out of sight.